The idea comes from a scene in the classic Disney film, "Fantasia," featuring /*Mickey Mouse*/. This live action "Sorcerer's Apprentice" is an homage to it.
In this version, Cage plays a master sorcerer who recruits an unlikely apprentice, played by Jay Baruchel, to fight the bad guys.
"I was in acting class doing /*Shakespeare*/-type stuff before I ever did stand-up or anything," explained Baruchel. "So I've always thought of myself as an actor who can kind of make people laugh sometimes."
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" has plenty of tricks from the world of special effects. As you watch, you might wonder, how'd they do that?
"You don't want to know," said Cage. "That's why I don't understand some of these things where it's like 'the making of,' and show you all the men behind the curtain, all the men behind the curtain. I want you to keep all the magic and the mystery."
The special effects also had an impact on how director Jon Turteltaub did his job.
"I've got to describe a giant dragon," said Turteltaub. "So you go back and forth, over and over again, and the money keeps getting bigger and bigger. And eventually you go, 'I love that dragon. I'm out of money, that's perfect. That's exactly what I meant."
When it comes to the film's young leading man, some may have doubted his action hero appeal -- but he always believed in himself.
"I grew up in the era of 'Lethal Weapon' and 'The Last Boy Scout' and 'Die Hard'," said Baruchel. "I didn't grow up thinking I would be some sort of skinny, awkward actor. I'd grown up expecting me to be /*Bruce Willis*/ or /*Pierce Brosnan*/. So it took you guys long enough."
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is rated PG and opens July 14.
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